Grindfest ’24 Film Festival Returns This September

Get ready for some classic horror screenings at the sixth edition of Grindfest! This year’s festival looks to be an unforgettable cinematic experience from 13th to 15th September at the luxurious Art-Deco Regent in Christchurch. Tickets and passes are on sale now at The Regent and Dirt in the Gate.

Grindfest is the UK’s dedicated genre film festival, showcasing classic films on 35mm prints, a format beloved by cinephiles for its authentic, nostalgic appeal. The festival curators have scoured archives worldwide to present rare film prints, some of which are rarely screened in the UK.

Following last year’s unique Friday 13th 3D screening, this year’s festival features another 1980s 3D classic, Treasure of the Four Crowns. Presented in its original over/under 3D process, this film promises a cinema adventure you won’t forget.

Grindfest also champions emerging filmmaking talent with its ever-expanding Short Film Showcase. Last year, the showcase featured incredible short films such as Nosepicker, There’s So Much Light Here, and Quinacridone Gold, many of which were shot on film.

The festival has teamed up with Dead Good Tees to produce exclusive Grindfest event merchandise, with details coming soon. Grindfest is also supported by BFI’s Film Hub South West, which has been invaluable in bringing the ‘film on film’ experience to the region.

Further collaboration includes Northumbria University’s Horror Studies Research Group, whose team will contribute with insightful introductions at selected screenings. This collaboration includes Professor Stacey Abbott, Dr Kate Egan, Dr Russ Hunter, Dr Steve Jones, Dr Damien Pollard, and Dr Johnny Walker, recognised leaders in horror studies.

Audience feedback from last year’s event was overwhelmingly positive. “The best cinema experience I’ve ever had,” said one attendee, while another praised, “Dirt in the Gate movies is always incredible, you get to see some amazing films on 35mm.”

Grindfest Festival Line-Up

Friday, 13th September

• 18:00 – Critters (1986) [35mm] Directed by Stephen Herek, this sci-fi creature feature follows small but vicious alien creatures called Crites as they escape from an alien prison transport vessel and wreak havoc on a small farm town on Earth.
• 20:00 – Society (1989) [35mm] Directed by Brian Yuzna, this social satire follows a Beverly Hills teenager who begins to suspect his wealthy parents are part of a gruesome cult.
• 22:00 – The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue (1974) [35mm] Directed by Jorge Grau, this zombie classic follows the heroes as they navigate a nightmarish landscape in the English countryside, pursued by cannibalistic living dead.

Saturday, 14th September

• 10:45 – The Last Starfighter (1984) [35mm] Directed by Nick Castle, this sci-fi classic celebrates its 40th anniversary with a special screening.
• 12:45 – Turkish Star Wars (1982) Directed by Çetin Inanç, this notorious film, known for its lifted footage from Star Wars, will be introduced by Dr. Iain Robert Smith, founder of Remakesploitation Fest.
• 15:00 – International Short Film Showcase Featuring a curated programme of short films from around the world.
• 16:45 – Nightmare Beach (1989) [35mm] Directed by Umberto Lenzi, this thriller follows a mysterious biker who begins killing people by electrocution during Spring Break.
• 19:00 – The Fly (1986) [35mm] Directed by David Cronenberg, this sci-fi horror classic features Jeff Goldblum as a scientist who merges with a common housefly.
• 21:15 – Mystery Movie (????) [35mm] A secret screening to be revealed only when the reels roll.

Sunday, 15th September

• 10:45 – Treasure of the Four Crowns 3D (1983) [35mm Over/Under 3D] Directed by Ferdinando Baldi, this adventure film utilises 3D technology to deliver an immersive experience.
• 13:00 – The Keep (1983) [35mm] Directed by Michael Mann, this horror film follows Nazis who accidentally unleash an ancient demon.
• 15:15 – Heavy Metal (1981) [35mm] Directed by Gerald Potterton, this animated film features a stellar soundtrack and follows a green orb spreading destruction throughout the galaxy.
• 17:30 – Dark Angel (1990) [35mm] Directed by Craig R. Baxley, this sci-fi action film stars Dolph Lundgren as a cop battling alien drug traffickers.
• 19:30 – Escape from New York (1981) [35mm] Directed by John Carpenter, this dystopian classic stars Kurt Russell as a convict sent to rescue the US President from a maximum-security prison in Manhattan.

Join us for three days of genre filmic action and immerse yourself in the unique experience that is Grindfest. For tickets and more information, visit The Regent or Dirt in the Gate.